SSPDF Vows to Stop Grave Violations Against Children

By Awan Achiek

The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) have pledged to safeguard children’s rights and prevent violence against them.

Speaking during the opening of a three-day workshop in Juba on Monday, Maj. Gen. Chaplain Khamis, Director of the Child Protection Unit of the SSPDF, reaffirmed the army’s commitment to ending grave violations against children.

“The SSPDF is committed to ending and preventing the six grave violations against children,” Khamis said.

Gen. Khamis stated that a court martial has been established to try perpetrators of crimes against children.

“This is evident in many cases, such as the establishment of the court martial to apprehend perpetrators and the formation of technical committees to support the various child protection units in government,” he said.

“Non-governmental institutions have also been involved, along with several orders, including the call for the immediate vacation of schools occupied by armed forces.”

“We know that war is not a place for children. We belong in schools, not on battlefields. We should be holding books, not guns,” said a child representative.

Save the Children South Sudan, supported by the Global Affairs Canada Peace and Stabilization Operation Programme (PSOPs), conducted a three-day inception workshop in Juba on Monday.

This workshop involved members of the organised forces.

The workshop focuses on preventing the recruitment and use of child soldiers by armed forces and armed groups.

Its aim is to enhance coordination efforts to prevent and address issues related to children associated with armed forces and armed groups, while also fostering meaningful discussions on child protection.

Between 2013 and 2022, up to 4,000 children associated with armed conflict have been released from various armed factions.

The released children were mainly from the former Cobra Faction in Greater Pibor and the South Sudan National Liberation Movement in Western Equatoria State, according to the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration Commission.

The government of South Sudan signed an action plan with the United Nations on March 13, 2012, to end and prevent the recruitment and use of child soldiers within the army.

In February 2020, the government signed a Comprehensive Action Plan to end all six grave violations against children in armed conflict.